The Graduate Certificate in Resource Studies is a 60-credit graduate-level qualification at Lincoln University designed for graduates who want to develop applied knowledge of the relationships between society, the economy and the environment. The programme focuses on how decisions made by businesses, communities and governments affect natural resources and environmental outcomes. Lincoln describes resource studies as a growing professional area with opportunities in both private-sector and government organisations.

The IPU programme link supplied in the request is not a programme-specific page for this Lincoln qualification; it points to IPU's Master of Global Business page. Therefore, any IPU-specific partnership, pathway, delivery, application, scholarship or fee arrangements for this qualification are not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Develops an understanding of the relationship between society, economy and ecology.
• Examines environmental and resource implications of decisions made by businesses and communities.
• Provides a focused qualification that can normally be completed in one semester full-time.
• Allows students to combine environmental planning, environmental policy, resource-management law, professional practice and M?ori environmental-management perspectives.
• Provides advanced study through predominantly 300-level courses.
• Can be useful for graduates wishing to move into environmental and resource-focused professional areas.
• Lincoln's Environment specialisation emphasises practical, future-focused education and preparation for roles involving environmental principles, policy and resource protection.
• Lincoln identifies growing employment opportunities associated with environmental awareness, greener production, climate change, resource depletion and environmental management.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme is normally completed in one semester and requires 60 credits, with at least 45 credits at 300 level.

Students must choose a minimum of three courses from the designated Graduate Certificate in Resource Studies elective list.

Semester 1 options:

• BMGT 301 – Business and Sustainability – 15 credits
• ERST 340 – Environmental Planning – 15 credits
• LWST 302 – Resource Management Law – 15 credits.

Semester 2 options:

• SOCI 314 – Professional Practice – 15 credits
• ERST 302 – Environmental Policy – 15 credits
• MAST 319 – Te Kaitiakitaka (M?ori Environmental Management) – 15 credits.

Students then select one additional 15-credit course at any level from the Schedule of Courses for the Bachelor of Environmental Management. This selection is made in consultation with the Academic Coordinator to ensure that the overall programme is coherent.

The structure therefore allows students to build a study focus around topics such as:

• Environmental planning
• Environmental policy
• Resource-management law
• Business sustainability
• Professional practice
• M?ori environmental management
• Natural-resource and environmental management.

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no separately named formal majors or specialisations within the Graduate Certificate in Resource Studies.

Students effectively create their own area of focus through course selection.

Relevant disciplines include:

• Environmental management
• Resource studies
• Environmental planning
• Environmental policy
• Resource-management law
• Sustainability
• Maori environmental management
• Professional environmental practice
• Society and environmental relationships
• Natural-resource management.

Programme Highlights

• 60-credit graduate certificate.
• 0.5 years full-time.
• Normally completed in one semester.
• Two standard annual intakes.
• Lincoln University Campus delivery.
• Minimum 45 credits at 300 level.
• Flexible elective structure.
• Environmental planning option.
• Environmental policy option.
• Resource-management law option.
• Business and sustainability option.
• Professional practice option.
• Maori environmental-management option.
• Additional 15-credit course selected from the Bachelor of Environmental Management Schedule.
• Strong focus on the interaction between society, economy and the environment. 

Career Outcomes

Lincoln does not publish a fixed list of occupations specifically for graduates of this Graduate Certificate.

The programme page states that resource studies is an expanding professional area with opportunities in both the private sector and local and central government.

Depending on the student's previous degree, selected courses and professional experience, the qualification may support work or further development in areas such as:

• Environmental management
• Environmental policy
• Environmental planning
• Resource management
• Sustainability
• Environmental compliance
• Natural-resource management
• Government environmental services
• Environmental consultancy
• Corporate sustainability.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest official programme page currently lists:

• Semester 1 2027 start: 22 February 2027
• Semester 2 2027 start: 19 July 2027
• Duration: 0.5 years full-time
• Credits: 60
• Location: Lincoln University Campus
• 2026 international fee estimate: NZ$17,500 for 60 credits.

Key academic requirements are:

• 60 credits overall.
• At least 45 credits at 300 level.
• Minimum three courses from the listed Graduate Certificate in Resource Studies electives.
• One additional 15-credit course from the Bachelor of Environmental Management Schedule.
• Additional course selection must be discussed with the Academic Coordinator to ensure a coherent programme.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students must hold a current, valid New Zealand visa permitting them to study at Lincoln University.

For a new international student, Lincoln states that the visa application requires:

• Offer of Place from Lincoln University.
• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid, normally a fee receipt.
• Passport.
• Digital photograph.
• Proof of funds for living expenses of NZ$20,000 per year.
• Evidence of funds for travel to the student's home country at the end of study, or an air ticket.
• Applicable visa application fee.

Depending on the student's circumstances, Immigration New Zealand may also request:

• Medical certificates or chest X-ray.
• Police Certificate.
• Additional information if the student will be under 18 when beginning study.